Room utility and service system



Nov. 21, 1967 M. BOBRICK 3,354,301

ROOM UTILITY AND SERVICE SYSTEM Original Filed Sept. 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 1 INVENTOK & I MITCHELL Bose/ck MAHome-y, HALaserci' HOZA/BA I652 A 7702/1/ 5 rs Nov. 21, 1967 M. BOBRICK 5 Sheets$heet 2 Nov. 21, 1967 M. BOBRICK ROOM UTILITY AND SERVICE SYSTEM Original Filed Sept. 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /2& M4 /02 m 0 M //0 /28 L i? /20 lZZ Q6 g FIG. 3.

mmvrm M/ TCHELL Bose/cw Nov. 21, 1967 M. BOBRICK 3,354,301

ROOM UTILITY AND SERVICE SYSTEM Original Filed Sept. 11, 1964 5 Sheets-SheetA Mrcmezz. Base/cw BY MAI/0M5); HAL-5527' 6: Ham/54x52 Ame/5K9 Nov. 21, 1967 M. BOBRICK 3,354,301

ROOM UTILITY AND SERVICE SYSTEM Original Filed Sept. 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F 5, 04 FIG. 2 00 i,. 1 7. if riiiii i'; Q *1;

IV/ /5@ I76 I a 224 l-. 7 204 204 Z44 w 246 C I 2%"402 INV EN TOR.

M/TCHELL 5059/04 BY Z MAHO/l/E), #445527 6% 404 244 45 "244 404 /2 HOE/UBAKEIQ United States Patent 3,354,301 ROOM UTILITY AND SERVICE SYSTEM Mitchell iiobricir, 605 Erskine Drive,

Pacific Palisades, Calif. 90272 Continuation of application Ser. No. 395,676, Sept. 11, 1964. This application Feb. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 629,045 18 Claims. (Cl. 240-2) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A system of continuously joined ceiling and wall mounted structures positioned extending into and through a series of horizontally and/or vertically adjacent rooms, each set of ceiling and wall structures dividing the particular room into two separate room sectors which are separately served by said structures. Each ceiling structure mounts separate light fixtures and each wall structure mounts a console having separate service panels positioned for separately serving the structure divided room sectors and connected with utility and service lines located in continuously connected compartments of said structures, the ceiling structure slidably mounting a curtain separating the room sectors and light fixtures and service panels.

This application is a continuation of my copending application, Ser. No. 395,676, entitled, Room Utility and Service System, filed Sept. 11, 1964.

This invention relates to a utility and service system and, more particularly, to a system of utility and service facilities for a room, such as a hospital room or a hotel or motel room, which facilities are readily adaptable for connection to similar facilities in adjoining rooms, and similar facilities in rooms on other floors above or below a given room.

For purposes of convenience in description and illustration, the invention is herein described as applied to two-bed hospital rooms, although it will be readily understood that the invention is equally applicable to a variety of rooms.

One object of the invention is to improve aesthetically the appearance of a room by providing that room utility and service facilities are combined into an attractive, single, vertical, wall-mounted structure, intersecting an attract-ive, single, horizontal, ceiling-mounted structure.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate a wide dispersion of utility and service outlets, and combine all of such outlets in the single wall and ceiling structures of the present invention.

Still another object of the invention is to dispose conveniently utility and service controls and switches so that they will be readily accessible.

A further object of the invention is to provide attractive, centralized mountings for such items as lighting fixtures and room-divider screens.

It is a further object of the invention to provide ready means for connecting the utility and service facilities in one room to similarly disposed utility and service facilities in adjoining rooms, and rooms either directly above or below said room.

Still a further object of the invention is to dispose such facilities so that they are readily accessible for service or repair.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the arrangement and combination of the various parts of the utility and service system whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

3,354,3fil Patented Nov. 21, 15567 FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view showing typical two-bed hospital rooms on two floors of a hospital;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the utility and service facility of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view, partially broken away, showing the elements of the ceiling-mounted run of the utility and service facility of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a portion of the ceiling run of the utility and service facility housing an examination light;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing an alternative form of semi-recessed ceiling run;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing an alternative form of fully recessed ceiling run;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative form of a ceiling run;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing a recessed form of ceiling run;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of an alternative form of a part of the construction shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 13 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view of an alternative form of the vertical wall run of the construction of the present invention showing a receptacle for receiving a curtain.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is therein shown two floors of a hospital containing a room A on one floor, a room B adjoining room A, and a room C on the floor below that on which rooms A and B are located, room C being directly below room A.

There is shown in room A a normal lighting fixture mounting 10 disposed on ceiling 12, connecting cables 14, and a light switch 16, it being understood that when the structures of the present invention are installed, the mounting \10, cables 14, and the switch 16 may be disconnected or removed or, if desired, a cable connection and surface duct 18 between the mounting 10 and the ceiling-mounted facility structure or run (hereinafter described in detail) may be provided so that lighting fixtures installed in said structure may be controlled by the switch 16.

Twin beds 20 are shown in the rooms A, B and C, the beds 20 in room A having their headboards placed adjacent to room As side wall 22, the beds 20 in room B having their headboards placed adjacent to room Bs side wall 24, and the beds 20 in room C having their headboards placed adjacent to room Cs side wall 26.

A vertical structural member generally designated 30, which is preferably an extrusion, defining a wall run, is mounted on the side walls 22, 24, and 26 of the rooms A, B, and C, respectively.

The wall run or structure 30, as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, has a flat, elongate plate member 32 which extends from a position adjacent the room ceiling to a position adjacent to the floor of the room, as illustrated in room A of FIG. 1, when connection to a structure 30 in a room immediately below, such as Room C, or above room A, is desired, or to a terminal position above floor level if desired, as shown in rooms B and C,

where no lower room connection is contemplated. Other- Member 32 is mounted on wall 22 by any suitable means, such as by bolts or screws 34, and is preferably positioned between the twin beds so that light fixtures mounted on the structure will be properly positioned over both beds, and so that control and outlet consoles, also mounted on the structure 30, will be readily accessible to patients in both beds, all as hereinafter described in more detail.

The sides of the member 32 are bent outwardly at substantially right angle to the flat portion thereof to form side members 36, and at the free ends of the side members 36 flanges 38 are formed.

Internally and intermediate the ends of member 32, elongate, dovetail mortise slots 41 spaced apart from each other, are formed, and received in the slots 40' are mating tenons 41 formed on the ends of vertically disposed partition plates 42, which serve to partition the space between the side members 30 into compartments for the separated reception of various lines, cables, and conduits. At the free ends of the plates 42, flanges 43 are provided, and a cover 44 is disposed between the plates 42 and secured thereto by snap fasteners 45 which abut on the flanges 43, the cover 44 thus serving to close the compartment between the plates 42.

Externally disposed dovetail mortise slots 46 are formed in the side members 36 adjacent to the flat portion of the member 32, the purpose of the slots 46 being to receive trim strips 47 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

Internally formed on side members 36 are opposed dovetail mortise slots 48 and flanges 49. The purpose of the slots 48 is to receive a transverse plate (not shown) with tenons on its ends, if partition of the space between the side members 36 in that direction, rather than the direction of plates 42, is desired. The purpose of the flanges 49 is to serve as snap fastener seats if it is desired to mount additional covers 44 between the side members 36 and the plates 42.

A console 50 is provided Console 50 has a front panel 52 and side panels 54. Preferably, side panels 54 are angularly disposed so that each of them accessibly faces one of the beds 20. The free ends of the side panels are bent inwardly and recessed, as at 56, so that the console 50 may be fastened on the side members 36 by reception of the flanges 38 in the recesses 56.

The side panels 54 have formed internally thereon elongate, vertically disposed, slotted tracks 58 for the reception of trolleys for light fixtures hereinafter described, the panels 54 having slotted openings 59, best shown in FIG. 2, running parallel to the tracks 58, in which said trolleys operate.

Toward the lower end of each of the panels 54 (or, if desired, at the lower end of the front panel 52), various outlets for such purposes as a television jack 60, a telephone jack 62, a nurse call system 64-, oxygen or vacuum systems 66, and electric plugs 68, are provided, and an outlet 69 for a night light may also be provided in front panel 52. These various outlets are suitably connected (by means not shown) to appropriate lines or conduits within the compartments of the structure 30, such as lines 70, lines 72, and conduits 74.

The panels 54 may also have mounted thereon switches (not shown) for the control of a television set 76, which set may be hung or mounted conveniently opposite the beds 21}, as shown in room 13 of FIG. 1, the set 75 being suitably connected to the switches by means of an electrical line in a rigid conduit 77 leading from the set, the line passing through the ceiling run and the vertical member to the switches.

Trolleys 80 are disposed in the slotted tracks 58 for slidable, vertical movement therein, and said trolleys 80 extend outwardly in the slotted openings 59. Pivotally mounted on each of the trolleys 80 and extending outwardly therefrom is an extension arm 82, or a flexible goose-neck arm 84, as desired. Mounted on the free end of each arm 82 or 84 is a light fixture 86, each light fix- 4 ture 86 being thus adjustably disposed so as to serve as a bed light or examination light. Each light fixture 86 is, of course, suitably connected to a source of electric current by means disposed internally of the panels 54 (not shown).

A ceiling-mounted facility structure or ceiling run, generally designated 100, is provided for each room. Ceiling run is preferably an extrusion, and extends from an overlying position over the vertical structure 30 to the opposite side wall of each room. If a similar ceiling run 100 is to be mounted in a laterally adjoining room, such as in room B in FIG. 1, the ends of each run 100 may be disposed in a suitable opening in the partitioning side wall so that the runs 1% in adjoining rooms are axially aligned, and so that cables and conduits disposed within the ceiling run 100 in one room may readily pass into the ceiling run 100' in the adjoining room, or the run 100 in one room may be integrally continued into an adjoining room by merely passing it through a suitable opening in the partitioning side wall.

The ceiling runs 100 in each room being substantially the same, only the ceiling run 10% in room A will be herein described.

Ceiling run 104) has a flat, elongate plate member 102 which is mounted on the ceiling 12 by an suitable means, such as by bolts or screws 104, shown in FIG. 3.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, the ends of the members 162 are bent downwardly at right angles to the fiat portion thereof to form end members 106, at the free ends of which inwardly directed, oblique flanges 108 are formed.

Externally disposed elongate, dovetail mortise slots 11) are formed in the end members 106 adjacent the flat portion of the member 102, the purpose of the slots 11% being to receive a screen hanger 111 hereinafter described, or to receive an electrical cable connector, such as 112, or a trim strip.

Internally and intermediate the ends of the end members 106, elongate, dovetail mortise slots 114 are formed, at the lower edges of which flanges 116 are provided. Mating tenons 120 formed on the ends of horizontally disposed plates 122 are disposed in the slots 114, the plates 122 being supported by the flanges 116. The free ends of the plates 122 are bent downwardly to define vertically disposed side members 124, spaced apart from each other, and at the lower ends of the members 124 slotted channel members 126 are formed.

Elongate, dovetail mortise slots 128 are internally formed on the member 102 intermediate the ends of the member 102, the said slots 128 serving as a mounting for an alternative form of construction illustrated in FIG. 12 of the drawings. The members of the alternative form of construction are provided in lieu of an end member 106, a plate 122, and a side member 124 on either or both sides of the run 100. FIG. 12 illustrates the alternative form of construction applied to the right side of the run 100, as shown in FIG. 3.

In said alternative form of construction, an end member 130 is pivotally mounted on the end of the member 102 by a hinge 132. At the free end of the member 130, an inwardly directed oblique flange 134 is formed. Intermediate the ends of the member 130, an inwardly directed straight-sides flange 136 is provided.

A plate 138 has a tenon 140 formed at one end thereof, and tenon 140 is received in a mortise slot 128. Intermediate the ends of the plate 138, a vertically disposed intersecting plate 142 is formed, the plate 142 being aligned with the flange 13-6 on the hinged end member 130 so that, when the member 130 is in the closed position shown in solid lines in FIG. 12, the free end of the plate 142 will be supported on the flange 136.

At the lower end of the plate 138, a slotted channel member 144, similar to one of the channel members 126 of FIG. 3, is formed.

The plates 122 and the members 124 of FIG. 3, together with other members hereinafter described, define separated compartments in which the lines 70, the lines 72, and the conduits 74, and other lines, cable, and conduits, such as the cable 146, may be separately disposed. Similarly, the member 130, the plate 138, and the plate 142 of FIG. 12, together with said other members hereinafter described, also define separated compartments for the separate disposition of such lines, cables and conduits. The fact that the member 130 of FIG. 12 is hingedly mounted will permit ready access to said compartments for purposes of repair or replacement of such lines, cables, and conduits.

An extruded member generally designated 150 is provided. As viewed in the drawings, member 150 has a vertically disposed plate 152 on the left side, at the upper end of which a slotted channel member 154 is disposed so as to seat on the channel member 126 adjacent to it, and thus support the member 150.

Intermediate the ends of the plate 152 is an intersecting, horizontally disposed plate 156 which is disposed below the channel member 126 on that side of the ceiling run 100 in alignment with the oblique flange 108 on the left hand end member 106, the free end of the plate 156 being flanged to correspond with said flange 108. An elongate, slotted track 158 is formed on the lower surface of the plate 156.

A plate 160 is formed at the bottom of the plate 152 by bending downwardly and inwardly, and the free end of plate 160 is bent horizontally to form a flat section 162, from which a vertically disposed plate 164 depends. Laterally of the plate 164, the lower surface of section 162 is slotted as at 166 on opposite sides of the plate 164.

At the lower end of plate 164 a slotted track 168 is formed, the track 168 being disposed so as to receive and retain a screen hanger 170. The upper surface of the track 168 is slotted as at 169 on opposite sides of the plate 164.

From the section 162, the structure is bent upwardly and outwardly to form the plate 172, which in turn is bent vertically upwardly to form a vertical section 174, and the section 174 is bent horizontally to form a plate 176 which is disposed below the channel member 126 on that side of the ceiling run 100 in alignment with the flange 108 on the right-hand end member 106, the free end of the plate 176 being flanged to correspond with said flange 108. An elongate, slotted track 178 is formed on the lower surface of the plate 176.

The member 150 is mounted in suspended position on the right-hand side member 124 by means of a bolt 180, the head of which is disposed in the channel member 126, and the shank of which passes through a bore in the plate 176, and a nut 182 mounted on the free, protruding end of the bolt 180-.

A transverse, vertical light fixture end plate 190 is disposed to the right of the section 174, the plate 172, the plate 164, and the track 168, and below the plate 176. The plate 190 is supported on and suspended from the plate 176 by means of a right angle flange 192 disposed in the track 178 on the plate 176, and the plate 190 is also mounted in abutment to the plate 164 by means of a similar flange 194 disposed in slots 166 and 169 in the section 162 and the track 168, respectively. A set screw 195 passes through a bore in the flange 194 and bears on the plate 164. If desired, the plate 190 may also be mounted on the plate 172 and the track 168 by bending the edges of plate 190- over said members, as at 196 and 198, respectively.

A light fixture socket 200 is mounted on the plate 190, and electric power lines 202 are connected to the socket 200 and pass through a suitable opening in the plate 172, similar to the opening 203 shown in FIG. 5, for connection to power lines disposed in the chamber defined by the plate 152, the plate 160, the section 162, the plate 172, and the section 174 (see FIG. 5).

A pivot pin 204 is mounted on the plate 190, the purpose of the pin 204 being to support a diffuser hereinafter described. A spring clip, hereinafter described, is disposed in a bore 206 in the plate 190 for support of a light diffuser, also hereinafter described.

Suitable ballast 210 is mounted by means of a bolt and nut assembly 212 to the plate 152, the head 214 of the bolt of the assembly 212 being disposed in the channel member 154.

A second transverse, vertical light fixture end plate 220,

similar to the plate 190, is disposed to the left of the plate 152, the plate 160, the plate 164, and the track 168, and below the plate 156, the plate 220 being mounted and supported similarly to the plate 190. Because the light fixture assemblies on both plates 190 and 220 are the same, only one of them will be hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, a lamp 222 is mounted on the plate 220 by means of a socket 200'. Surrounding the lamp 222 is a diffuser 224 which is supported on the pin 204 and on a spring clip 226 (in turn suitably supported in the bore 206). The diffuser 224 may have an inner lens 227 and an outer lens 228, the lens being suitably disposed so as to diffuse light in various intensities, as desired.

A screen, such as the accordian screens 230 shown in FIG. 1, is mounted on a screen hanger, and by movement of the hanger in the track 168, the screen 230 may be expanded or retracted, as desired. It will also be obvious that, as desired, an extending hanger, such as hanger 170, or a retracted hanger, may be utilized.

In lieu of the lamp and diffuser assembly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, alternative assemblies, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 6ll, may be provided. In FIGS. 6 and 7, in lieu of lamps such as lamp 222, running coextensive with the ceiling run 100, examination lamps, such as lamps 240 and 242, may be supported on the plates 156 and 176, respectively, and in abutment with the plate 164 by brackets 244 and 246, mounted and supported similar to the mounting of the end plates 190 and 220, as shown in FIG. 3. The lamps 240 and 242 are disposed so that they may be focused on the beds 20, and preferably single-lensed diffusers 248 are used in conjunction with the lamps 240 and 242, the diffusers 248 being supported on the pins 204 and suitably snapfastened to the track 168.

In FIG. 8, there is illustrated an alternative form of construction in which, in lieu of suspending the run from the ceiling 12, the run 100 is recessed in the ceiling 12, leaving only the lighting assemblies and the screen support structure depending therefrom, while in FIG. 9 the entire ceiling run 100 and the lighting assemblies and screen support structure are shown fully recessed in the ceiling 12.

Additionally, in FIG. 8, diffusers 248 (see FIG. 7) are used, but also deflectors 250 surround the lamps 222. Furthermore, in FIG. 9, because the entire ceiling run structure is fully recessed in the ceiling 12, in lieu of the diffusers 248, vertical plates 260 are mounted on and suspended in alignment with the end members 106 and extend to the outer surface of the ceiling 12, where they are bent inwardly to form flanges 262, which support diffusers 264 and 266, in turn snap-fastened to the track 168. Diffuser 264 may be flat-surfaced, as illustrated, while diffuser 266 may be arched, as illustrated. Also, downwardly directed deflectors 268 may surround the lamps 222, the deflectors 268 being mounted as shown.

In FIG. 10 of the drawings, there is illustrated an alternative form of ceiling run which is suitably mounted on and suspended from the ceiling 12. In this alternative form, an elongate, horizontally disposed plate 300 is mounted on the ceiling 12, and a vertically disposed plate 302 intersects the plate 300 at substantially the center of the plate 300 and depends therefrom. At the lower end of the plate 300, a track 168 is formed.

Transverse, vertical light fixture end plates 304 and 306, substantially similar to the plates 220 and in 75 FIGS. 3 and 5, depend from the plate 300 to the left 4 and right, respectively, of the plate 302. Right-angled diffusers 3%3 are hung on the pins 204 and converge toward the track 168, to which they are suitably snapfastened. Suitably mounted deflectors surround the lamps 222 so as to deflect light laterally.

In the alternative form of construction shown in FIG. 11, the ceiling run is fully recessed in the ceiling 12. In this form, the structure has an elongate, horizontally disposed plate 400, bent downwardly at its ends to form side members 402 which terminate at the ceiling surface, where inwardly directed flanges 4434 are formed. A vertically disposed plate 4% intersects the plate 4% at substantially the center of the plate 400 and depends therefrom. At the lower end of the plate 406, a track 168 is formed. Diffusers 264 and 266 are supported on the flanges 404 and are snap-fastened to the track 168. Deflectors 268 are also provided and mounted as illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 13 of the drawings, a compartment for reception of the screen 230 when retracted may be provided. In this form of construction, in lieu of the front panel 52 of the console 50 of the vertical structure 30, a vertically disposed plate 5th! is provided. Side walls 50?. extend outwardly from the intersections of the plate 530 with the side panels 54, and are disposed substantially parallel with each other so as to define, with plate 5%, a compartment for the reception of the screen 230 when it is retracted. It will be understood that, although not illustrated, the compartment so defined may be provided with a door or snap-fastened plate extending between the free ends of the side walls 5'32 to close the compartment.

It will also be understood that in lieu of hanging the screen 23% on an extending hanger, such as the hanger 170 shown in FIG. 3, or a hanger retracted in track 168, the screen 23s may be suspended from a hanger 111, also shown in FIG. 3, the track 168 being suitably diverted so as to be aligned with the slot 110 in which the hanger lift is shown mounted.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structures and devices.

I claim:

1. A room utility and service system which comprises: an elongate, vertically disposed member having a fiat plate mounted on a wall of a room, and having side members disposed substantially at right angle to the flat plate, the flat plate and side members defining a vertically disposed wall run structure; vertical partitions disposed so as to form compartments within the area defined by the flat plate and the side members for the separated reception of various utility and service lines, cables, and conduits; a vertically disposed console removably mounted on the free ends of the side members; utility and service outlets mounted on the console and connected to the lines, cables, and conduits within the compartments; an elongate, horizontally disposed ceiling run structure mounted on the room ceiling and intersecting the vertically disposed member at the point of intersection of the room wall and the ceiling, said ceiling run having a flat plate mounted on the ceiling, and having side members disposed substantially at right angle to the flat plate; partitions disposed so as to form compartments within the area defined by the flat plate of the ceiling run and the side members thereof for the separated reception of said utility and service lines, cables, and conduits, said ceiling run compartments being aligned with corresponding compartments in the vertically disposed member for continuous passage of said separated lines, cables, and conduits therebetween; cover means transversely dis Cir posed between the free ends of the side members of the ceiling run; an elongate, slotted track mounted on the cover means at substantially the center of said cover means; and lighting fixtures mounted on said cover means, said lighting fixtures being disposed on opposite sides of said track and connected to lines within the compartments in the ceiling run.

2. A room utility and service system as defined in claim 1, wherein the ceiling run is recessed in the ceiling.

3. A room utility and service system as defined in claim 1, wherein the side members of the ceiling run are hinged to the flat plate so as to provide access to the compartments within the ceiling run and the wall run.

4. A room utility and service system which comprises: an elongate, vertically disposed member having a fiat plate mounted on a wall of a first room and passing through aligned openings in the first room to mounted positions on walls of rooms above and below the first room, said member having side members disposed substantially at right angle to the flat plate, the fiat plate and side members defining a vertically disposed wall run structure; vertical partitions disposed so as to form continuous compartments within the area defined by the flat plate and the side members for the separated reception of various utility and service lines, cables, and conduits; vertically disposed consoles removably mounted on the free ends of the side members, one console being disposed in each of the rooms; utility and service outlets mounted on each of the consoles and connected to the lines, cables, and conduits Within the compartments; an elongate, horizontally disposed ceiling run structure mounted on the ceiling of each of the rooms and intersecting the wall run at the point of intersection of the room wall and the ceiling of each room, each of said ceiling runs having a fiat plate mounted on the ceiling, and having side members disposed substantially at right angle to the fiat plate; partitions disposed so as to form compartments within the area defined by the fiat plate of each of the ceiling runs and the side members thereof for the separated reception of utility and service lines, cables, and conduits, said ceiling run compartments being aligned with corresponding compartments in the wall run for continuous passage of said separate lines, cables, and conduits therebetween; cover means transversely disposed between the free ends of the side members of each of the ceiling runs; an elongate, slotted track mounted on the cover means at substantially the center of said cover means; and lighting fixtures mounted on said cover means, said lighting fixtures being disposed on opposite sides of said track and connected to lines Within the compartments in each of the ceiling runs.

5. A room utility and service system which comprises: an elongate, vertically disposed member having a fiat plate mounted on a wall of a first room, and having side members disposed substantially at right angle to the flat plate, the flat plate and side members defining a vertically disposed wall run structure; vertical partitions disposed so as to form compartments within the area defined by the fiat plate and the side members for the separated reception of various utility and service lines, cables, and conduits; a vertically disposed console removably mounted on the free ends of the side members; utility and service outlets mounted on the console and connected to the lines, cables, and conduits within the compartments; an elongate, horizontally disposed ceiling run structure mounted on the room ceiling and intersecting the wall run at the point of intersection of the room wall and the ceiling, said ceiling run having a flat plate mounted on the ceiling and passing through aligned openings in the walls of the first room to mounted positions on the ceilings of adjoining rooms, said ceiling run also having side members disposed substantially at right angle to the fiat plate; partitions dis posed so as to form compartments within the area defined by the flat plate of the ceiling run and the side members thereof for the separated reception of said utility and service lines, cables, and conduits, said ceiling run compartments being aligned with corresponding compartments in the wall run for continuous passage of said separated lines, cables, and conduits therebetween; cover means transversely disposed between the free ends of the side members of the ceiling run; an elongate, slotted track mounted on the cover means at substantially the center of said cover means; and lighting fixtures mounted on said cover means and disposed in each of said rooms, said lighting fixtures being disposed on opposite sides of said track and connected to lines within the compartments in the ceiling run.

6. A room utility and service system as defined in claim 5, including vertically disposed wall run structures mounted on the walls of each of the adjoining rooms and intersecting the ceiling run, the compartments in each of said wall runs being aligned with corresponding compartments in the ceiling run for continuous passage of said separated lines, cables, and conduits therebetween.

7. A room utility and service system as defined in claim 6, wherein the ceiling run is recessed in the ceilings of each of the rooms.

8. A room utility and service system which comprises: an elongate, vertically disposed member having a flat plate mounted on a Wall of a first room and passing through aligned openings in the first room to mounted positions on walls of rooms above and below the first room, said member having side members disposed substantially at right angle to the flat plate, the flat plate and side members defining a vertically disposed wall run structure; vertical partitions disposed so as to form continuous compartments within the area defined by the fiat plate and the side members for the separated reception of various utility and service lines, cables, and conduits; vertically disposed consoles removably mounted on the free ends of the side members, one console being disposed in each of the rooms; utility and service outlets mounted on each of the consoles and connected to the lines, cables, and conduits within the compartments; an elongate, horizontally disposed ceiling run structure mounted on the ceiling of each of the rooms and intersecting the wall run at the point of intersection of the room wall and the ceiling of each room, and passing through aligned openings in dividing room walls to mounted positions on the ceilings of adjoining rooms, each of said ceiling runs also having side members disposed substantially at right angle to a flat plate; partitions disposed so as to form compartments within the area defined by the fiat plate of each of the ceiling runs and the side members thereof for the separated reception of said utility and service lines, cables, and conduits, said ceiling run compartments being aligned with corresponding compartments in the wall run for continuous passage of said separated lines, cables, and conduits therebetween; cover means transversely disposed between the free ends of the side members of each of the ceiling runs; an elongate, slotted track mounted on the cover means at substantially the center of said cover means; and lighting fixtures mounted on said cover means and disposed in each of said rooms, said lighting fixtures being disposed on opposite sides of said track and connected to lines within the compartments in each of the ceiling runs.

9. A room utility and service system which comprises: an elongate, vertically disposed member having a fiat plate mounted on a wall of a room, and having side members disposed substantially at a right angle to the flat plate; vertical partitions disposed so as to form compartments within the area defined by the flat plate and the side members for the separate reception of various utility and service lines, cables, and conduits; a vertically disposed console removably mounted on the free ends of the side members; utility and service outlets mounted on the console and connected to the lines, cables, and conduits within the compartments; an elongate, horizontally disposed ceiling run structure mounted on the room ceiling and intersecting the vertically disposed member at the point of intersection of the room wall and the ceiling, said ceiling run having a fiat plate mounted on the ceiling, and having side members disposed substantially at a right angle to the flat plate; partitions disposed so as to form compartments within the area defined by the fiat plate of the ceiling run and the side members thereof for the separated reception of said utility and service lines, cables, and conduits, said ceiling run compartments being aligned with corresponding compartments in the vertically disposed member for continuous passage of said separated lines, cables, and conduits therebetween; lighting fixtures mounted on and suspended from said ceiling run, and connected to lines within the compartments in the ceiling run; and an elongate, slotted track running lengthwise on said ceiling run, screen hangers slidably received in said ceiling run track, said screen hangers being disposed so as to support a screen depending from said hangers.

10. In a room utility and seivice system for providing a plurality of utility services on the walls and ceilings of a plurality of horizontally adjacent rooms separated by a common wall and each having a wall facing said common wall, opposed side walls joined to said common wall, and a floor, the combination of: an elongate, horizontally disposed ceiling structure mounted upon and extending along ceilings of said rooms spaced from and between said opposed side walls and through said common wall, said ceiling structure dividing each of said rooms into separate sectors each defined by said ceiling structure and one of said opposed side walls, said ceiling structure including a generally horizontally extending mounting plate and side members on said mounting plate, partition means between said side members defining continuous separated compartment means extending horizontally along said ceilings and through said common wall for the reception of various utility and service lines, said ceiling structure having horizontally oriented light fixture means in each of said rooms supported on and extending along said ceiling structure, certain of said light fixture means being at each side of said ceiling structure for separately illuminating each of said room sectors; and an elongate, vertically disposed Wall structure mounted on and extending down at least one of said common or facing walls of each of said rooms, each of said Wall structures intersecting said ceiling structure adjacent the intersection of the respective wall and ceiling, and each of said wall structures including a generally vertically extending mounting plate having side members, partition means between said side members defining continuous separated compartment means extending vertically down said wall and corresponding to and joining into said ceiling structure compartment means at said intersection for the reception of certain of said various utility and service lines, and said wall structures each forming a vertically oriented console thereupon, each of said consoles having a separate service panel facing and separately serving each of said room sectors, each of said service panels having utility and service outlets spaced above said room floors and connected to certain of said utility and service lines in said wall structure compartments.

11. A room utility and service system as defined in claim It) in which said service panels of each of said wall structure consoles are spaced horizontally apart and extend at an angle greater than to the wall upon which the particular wall structure is mounted.

12. A room utility and service system as defined in claim 10 in which there is light fixture means on each of said service panels of each of said wall structure consoles connected to and controlled by certain of said utility and service outlets of said each service panel.

13. A room utility and service system as defined in claim 10 in which there is light separating partition means on said ceiling structure in each of said rooms separating said light fixture means at each side of said ceiling structure to shield one of said room sectors from said light fixture for the other of said room sectors.

ill

14. A room utility and service system as defined in claim in which there is light separating partition means on said ceiling structure in each of said rooms separating said light fixture means at each side of said ceiling structure to shield one of said room sectors from said light fixture for the other of said room sectors; and in which there is curtain means slidably supported on said light separating partition means of said ceiling structure in at least certain of said rooms for vertically separating said room sectors and said light fixture means and service panels serving said room sectors.

A room utility and service system as defined in claim 10 in which there is curtain means slidably supported on said ceiling structure in at least certain of said rooms for vertically separating said room sectors of said certain rooms.

16. A room utility and service system as defined in claim 10 in which said vertically disposed wall structure of at least one of said horizontally adjacent rooms extends vertically through an adjacent floor or ceiling of said room along a vertically aligned wall of a room vertically adjacent to said one horizontally adjacent room, said wall structure in said vertically adjacent room dividing said vertically adjacent room into separate sectors each defined by said wall structure and one of opposed side walls joined to said vertically aligned wall of said vertically adjacent room, said wall structure mounting plate and side members extending generally vertically along said aligned wall of said vertically adjacent room, said partition means defining said continuous separated compartment means extending vertically along said vertically aligned wall for extending said various utility and service lines into said vertically adjacent room, said wall structure of said vertically aligned wall forming a vertically oriented console thereupon, said console having a separate service panel facing and separately serving each of said room sectors of said vertically adjacent room, each of said service panels having utility and service outlets spaced above a fioor of said vertically adjacent room connected to certain of said utility and service lines in said wall structure compartments.

17. In a room utility and service system for providing a plurality of utility services on the walls and ceilings of a plurality of vertically adjacent rooms having vertically aligned walls and each having a ceiling, opposed side walls joined to said vertically aligned wall, and a floor, the combination of: an elongate, vertically disposed wall structure mounted on and extending vertically between said vertically adjacent rooms and along said vertically aligned walls spaced from and between said opposed side walls, said wall structure dividing each of said rooms into separate sectors each defined by said wall structure and one of said opposed side walls, said wall structure 12 including a generally vertically extending mounting plate having side members thereupon, partition means between said side members defining continuous separated compartment means extending vertically along and between said vertically aligned walls for receiving various utility and service lines, said wall structure forming a vertically oriented console in each of said rooms, each of said consoles having a separate service panel facing and separately serving each of said room sectors, each of said service panels having utility and service outlets spaced above said room floors and connected to certain of said utility and service lines in said wall structure compartments; an elongate, horizontally disposed ceiling structure mounted on and extending along said ceilings of each of said rooms aligned with said wall structure and also defining said room sectors, each of said ceiling structures intersecting said wall structure adjacent the intersection of said walls and ceilings; and each of said ceiling structures including a generally horizontally extending mounting plate having side members thereupon, partition means between said side members defining continuous separated compartment means extending horizontally along said ceilings and corresponding to and joining into said wall structure compartment means at said intersection for the reception of certain of said utility and service lines, and horizontally oriented light fixture means in each of said rooms supported on and extending along said ceiling structures, certain of said light fixture means being at each side of each of said ceiling structures in each of said rooms for separately illuminating each of said room sectors.

18. A room utility and service system as defined in claim 17 in which there is light separating partition means on said ceiling structures in at least certain of said rooms vertically separating said light fixture means at each side of said ceiling structures to shield one of said room sectors from said light fixture for the other of said room sectors; and in which there is curtain means slidably supported on said light separating partition means of said ceiling structures in at least certain of said rooms for vertically separating said room sectors and said light fixture means and service panels serving said room sectors.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,718,253 6/1929 Putnam 174-49 X 2,998,508 8/1961 Bobrick 2402 3,084,247 4/1963 Bobrick 2,402 3,200,244 8/1965 Meyer 24073 3,201,582 8/1965 Siegel 240-73 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

M. H. HAYES, Assistant Examiner. 

10. IN A ROOM UTILITY AND SERVICE SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF UTILITY SERVICES ON THE WALLS AND CEILING OF A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTALLY ADJACENT ROOMS SEPARATED BY A COMMON WALL AND EACH HAVING A WALL FACING SAID COMMON WALL, OPPOSED SIDE WALLS JOINED TO SAID COMMON WALL, AND A FLOOR, THE COMBINATION OF: AN ELONGATE, HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED CEILING STRUCTURE MOUNTED UPON AND EXTENDING ALONG CEILINGS OF SAID ROOMS SPACED FROM AND BETWEEN SAID OPPOSED SIDE WALLS AND THROUGH SAID COMMON WALL, SAID CEILING STRUCTURE DIVIDING EACH OF SAID ROOMS INTO SEPARATE SECTORS EACH DEFINED BY SAID CEILING STRUCTURE AND ONE OF SAID OPPOSED SIDE WALLS, SAID CEILING STRUCTURE AND CLUDING A GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING MOUNTING PLATE AND SIDE MEMBERS ON SAID MOUNTING PLATE, PARTITION MEANS BETWEEN SAID SIDE MEMBERS DEFINING CONTINUOUS SEPARATED COMPARTMENT MEANS EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY ALONG SAID CEILING AND THROUGH SAID COMMON WALL FOR THE RECEPTION OF VARIOUS UTILITY AND SERVICE LINES, SAID CEILING STRUCTURE HAVING HORIZONTALLY ORIENTED LIGHT FIXTURE MEANS IN EACH OF SAID ROOMS SUPPORTED ON AND EXTENDING ALONG SAID CEILING STRUCTURE, CERTAIN OF SAID LIGHT FIXTURE MEANS BEING AT EACH SIDE OF SAID CEILING STRUCTURE FOR SEPARATELY ILLUMINATING EACH OF SAID ROOM SECTORS; AND AN ELONGATE, VERTICALLY DISPOSED WALL STRUCTURE MOUNTED ON AND EXTENDING DOWN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID COMMON OR FACING WALLS OF EACH OF SAID ROOMS, EACH OF SAID WALL STRUCTURES INTERSECTING SAID CEILING STRUCTURE ADJACENT THE INTERSECTION OF THE RESPECTIVE WALL AND CEILING, AND EACH OF SAID WALL STRUCTURES INCLUDING A GENERALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING MOUNTING PLATE HAVING SIDE MEMBERS, PARTITION MEANS BETWEEN SAID SIDE MEMBERS DEFINING CONTINUOUS SEPARATED COMPARTMENT MEANS EXTENDING VERTICALLY DOWN SAID WALL AND CORRESPONDING TO AND JOINING INTO SAID CEILING STRUCTURE COMPARTMENT MEANS AT SAID INTERSECTION FOR THE RECEPTION OF CERTAIN OF SAID VARIOUS UTILITY AND SERVICE LINES, AND SAID WALL STRUCTURES EACH FORMING A VERTICALLY ORIENTED CONSOLE THEREUPON, EACH OF SAID CONSOLES HAVING A SEPARATE SERVICE PANEL FACING AND SEPARATELY SERVING PANELS HAVING UTILITY AND SECTORS, EACH OF SAID SERVICE PANELS HAVING UTILITY AND SERVICE OUTLETS SPACED ABOVE SAID ROOM FLOORS AND CONNECTED TO CERTAIN OF SAID UTILITY AND SERVICES LINES IN SAID WALL STRUCTURE COMPARTMENTS. 